The Golden Dome Monastery ~ A beacon guiding you into Kyiv.

You can see this shimmering roof from afar when flying in. I had to find it as soon as I landed. It is said to be the first church in the Orthodox region with a gilded dome and now serves as the headquarters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Originally built in the 1100s, it was demolished by the Soviets in the 1930s. After the Soviet Union collapsed, it was rebuilt to look like what you see today. It's so cool with its beautiful blue walls and golden dome, seemingly representing the colors of the country. The interior decorations are also quite impressive, and it's interesting to compare the new paintings here with the older ones in the nearby Saint Sophia Cathedral. The area also has many other impressive buildings, making it a fun walk.